Chargers upset Chiefs, 27-21, in Brazil NFL season opener

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The Los Angeles Chargers are winners in Brazil to start out the 2025 NFL season, as they took down the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, 27-21, on Friday night time.

The Chiefs had received the earlier seven matchups towards their AFC West rival, however Justin Herbert and the Chargers have been accomplished with that streak as they performed practically flawless soccer in São Paulo, Brazil.

The Chiefs misplaced a key participant on offense simply three performs into the sport, as Xavier Worthy collided with Travis Kelce and suffered a shoulder damage that knocked him out the remainder of the sport. Worthy figured to be a high goal for Mahomes, with head coach Andy Reid noting he had a very good gameplan for the second-year receiver on this sport.

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Los Angeles Chargers vast receiver Quentin Johnston (1) in motion in the course of the first quarter towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Corinthians Area on Sept. 5, 2025. (Jean Carniel/Reuters through Imagn Photos)

With out him, the Chiefs sputtered on offense to start out the sport, however Herbert and the Chargers have been locked in from kickoff.

They obtained off to a sizzling begin with a seven-play landing drive capped by a five-yard strike from Herbert to Quentin Johnston to shortly make it 7-0 within the fourth quarter. Cameron Dicker would add his first area aim of the season to make it 10-0, whereas the Chiefs punted on its first three drives.

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It was all area objectives within the second quarter for each groups, however essentially the most thrilling one was Harrison Butker knocking dwelling a 59-yard area aim simply as time was expiring. It was a hearth drill for the Chiefs, as Noah Grey wasn’t deemed out of bounds, and the particular groups unit has to hurry on the sector and snap the ball with 9 seconds left within the first half.

It was an uncharacteristic first half for Kansas Metropolis’s offense, however they might shortly proper the ship with their first drive of the second half. Mahomes led the way in which, going 80 yards in 11 performs the place he would scamper into the tip zone for the Chiefs’ first landing of the season.

However Herbert and the Chargers would reply, operating a 12-play drive that took up nearly eight minutes of clock the place he discovered his outdated pal Keenan Allen, who resigned with Los Angeles this offseason, for the landing to make it 20-12.

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs towards Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) within the second half throughout a NFL sport at Corinthians Area on Sept. 5, 2025. (Amanda Perobelli/Reuters through Imagn Photos)

The fourth quarter was essentially the most thrilling on this Brazilian bout, as Travis Kelce sprung free for a 37-yard landing catch-and-run for his first rating of the yr. That made it 20-18, because the Chiefs didn't convert their two-point strive.

All of the momentum was with Kansas Metropolis, however as soon as once more, the Chargers responded towards their divisional foe. Herbert ran to his proper on the Kansas Metropolis 23-yard line and slung a sidearm go to Johnston for his second landing of the sport.

The 27-18 hole was wanted halfway by means of the fourth quarter, as Mahomes would launch a 49-yard go on the run to Marquise "Hollywood" Brown on fourth-and-7 to place the Chiefs within the pink zone. They needed to accept a area aim, however they have been inside a landing and wanted a cease on protection.

However the story of this sport was Herbert doing precisely what was wanted to reply to the Chiefs, and he did so on an important third-and-14, scrambling exterior the pocket and going 19 yards to seal the win in Brazil.

Herbert was phenomenal for the Chargers, as he went 25-for-34 for 318 yards and three touchdowns within the win. Johnston completed with 79 yards on 5 catches, whereas Ladd McConkey had six catches for 74 yards. Allen additionally had seven catches for 68 yards and a rating.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the course of the heat up earlier than a NFL sport towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Corinthians Area on Sept. 5, 2025. (Amanda Perobelli/Reuters through Imagn Photos)

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For the Chiefs, Mahomes went 24-for-39 by means of the air for 258 yards and a landing, whereas main the staff on the bottom with 57 yards dashing on six carries. Brown had 10 catches for 99 yards, whereas Kelce had simply two catches for 47 yards and a landing.